The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-11-17
PRETTY CA BLERS.
Women of Aix-lss-Bains who Figure
at the Green Table.
Efom az Boston HernLd.

From the Boston Herald.
There are two casinos at Aix-les- Bains,
and consequently two gambling saloons and
two sets of little horses. The more ''scri-
Gus" Of the two casinos, the Circle d'Aix-
les Bains, has replaced the former inferior
sale de jeu with new and sumptuous
apartment, which fairly rivals that of the
gay resort of the place, POLITICALLY and
significantly denominated the Villa des
Fleurs. The Villa DIES Fleurs is fast, and
though ladies occasionally wander in there
out of curiosity. il is scarcely the place to
which any self-respecting woman of the
present day would take her own mother.
As often happens, however, the surroundings
are prettier and more fascinating than
those Of the cercle. Only man is vile.
The two casinos, though taking in
about 700, 000f. apiece each season, are not
supposed to make very much money, and do
not declare dividends. They are philan-
thropic institutions, designed for the amuse-
ment Of the populace. The salaries of an
operate and theatrical troupe and OF an
orchestra and band the cost of fireworks
and of improvements, are presumed to eat
up the profits Of the restaurants, the per-
formanceS and the gambling tables. The
Cercle d Aix-les-B ains pays Colonne a really
enormous figure for the services of himself
and his orchestra, one of the finest in
Europe; but it is hard to believe that money
is not made over and above the expenses al
the Villa des Fleurs, where expenditure on
the part Of the public is lavish, and where
they gambls for high stakes
The gaming table is far more liberal
place than the table d'hote for in the sale
de jeu respectable but curious matrons rub
shoulders with frisky and painted young
persons who would never be allowed to dine
in their company at any hotel. One be
comes used to everything, and existence in
a continental watering place soon accustOms
American and English TO the spectacle of a
duchess putting down 10 franc piece side
by side with the golden louis of 4 cocotte,
and of a respectable and church-going
citizen of the United States rubbing
shoulders at cards with a cut-throat
adventurer. A celebrated English
comedian and a well-known singer,
American by birth, English by reputation,
Italian by name, fairly haunts the green
cloth, replacing the excitement of active life
before the footlights with the hopes and
fears that hang upon a nine-spot. The most
desperate gambler at Aix-les- Bains is, how
ever, a woman, Greek by birth. This devo-
tee of the green cloth does not take her seat
at the table, on account of her sex, but
plays over the shoulders OF "a sterner man III
1901. bills, and she risks 500f. with the same
imperturability that she might put down
100 sous. This woman, who is immensely
rich, has face that painter might take as
an unlovely model. The expression is that of
ferret. and the rat-like
countenance has its resemblance to
rodent intensified by nervous
twitching of the tightly compressed thin
lips and the conical chin. The small eyes
stare from under "A mass Of grizzled gray
hair; the skin is red and guiltless of the
softenirg application of anything like
'poudre de riz. The celebrity, who changes
from the tables CT the Cercle d'Aix-les-
Bains to those of the Villa DIES Fleurs and
back again, does not devote much atten-
ton to her costume. 1t consists of a black
dress, not too we'll made; black jet bon
net, and, like the true gambler that she is,
no gloves. While she plays she keeps shift
ing and counting the white and blue 100
franc notes When called upon to give
change, she takes gold from purse, but as
a rule she despisss the metal and deals only
in TlaDaT